Everyone can become a victim of domestic violence regardless of ethnicity, sex, background, education, income level, or even age. Teenagers are just as susceptible to causing or being the victim of domestic abuse as adults. The Diane Peppler Resource Center wants to educate teens and young adults about the warning signs of domestic violence and what can be done to help those being abused.

The Peppler Center hosted its second annual Strike Out the Violence bowling event at Gateway Lanes in St. Ignace to educate middle and high school students in Mackinac County about the issue. Thirty-seven students in grades five through 12 from schools around the EUP, down from 78 last year, attended the free bowling and educational program Tuesday, September 29. Organizers attribute this year's low attendance to school cross country and volleyball events taking place at the same time elsewhere in St. Ignace.

Women are six times more likely than men to be victims of domestic violence, event organizer Erica Rhome said, with young women between the ages of 16 and 24 being the most susceptible.

Ms. Rhome gives presentations to Mackinac County students in grades eight and 10 each year to spread awareness. She said about one in five female high school students become the victim of domestic violence.

"It averages out to three students per classroom," she said. The classroom presentations are about "getting the students to think, because a big part of this is about 'How do you help your friends?'"

The Peppler Center defines domestic violence as a pattern of controlling behavior carried out by one person in an intimate relationship to maintain power and control over the other person. This includes couples who are married, dating, living together, separated, homosexual, or heterosexual. Physical assault (hitting, kicking, or biting), sexual assault (unwarranted sexual contact), emotional abuse (name calling or belittling), social isolation (denying access to friends, phone, or transportation), threats (threatening emotional or physical harm), stalking (willful and repeated contact with another individual without permission), and intimidation (causing fear through threatening looks or gestures) are all types of domestic abuse.

The Peppler Center recommends having a codeword or signal with family, friends, and neighbors for people who feel they are a victim of domestic violence and want to get out of that relationship. Other recommendations from the center include, having a place to go when leaving, have a prepared emergency exit, opening your own savings account, and leaving important documents with a trusted outside party. Applying for a personal protection order may also be a good idea, which the center can help set up.

Volunteers at the bowling program helped students learn about domestic violence through a series of board games, earning students a stamp for each completed game. Once the teens completed each game and collected their stamps, they turned them in to the head table to tell organizers at least two things they had learned. Those who completed these tasks were entered into drawings for digital cameras, digital music players, and handheld games.

"It's getting them to all work as a team to figure out what healthy relationships are," Ms. Rhone said. "They can't qualify for those prizes until they tell me what they learned and they complete their four games. That's how we tie it all in."

Students also enjoyed free rounds of bowling, food, and gift bags with domestic violence information, candy, food coupons, and games.

The Diane Peppler Resource Center is available for teens seeking help and wanting answers to questions about domestic violence and abuse. Teens who feel they are a victim of domestic violence can contact the Peppler Center toll-free 24 hours a day at (800) 882-1515 or locally at 643-0498. Walk-ins are also welcome at the center's downtown St. Ignace location at 408 North State Street. Inquiries at the center are confidential.